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Post written by

Champaign Williams

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On July 14, residents of Honolulu’s Marco Polo Apartments fled a lethal fire around 2 p.m. that left three dead and 16 people injured. This is one of several apartment fires that have occurred in the U.S. and London this year alone, leaving residents dead, injured or displaced from existing apartments, new apartments burned to the ground before residents could ever move in and local officials wondering whether these properties were adequately built to withstand large fires.

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Fire Ablaze

One common concern for local officials during has been the lack of sprinkler systems built into older properties. On a national basis, most commercial buildings were not required to have automatic fire sprinklers before the 1980s, and attempting to retrofit buildings with these systems could cost thousands, and at times millions, per unit, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Below are details surrounding four major apartment fires that have occurred this year in existing and under-construction buildings.

Honolulu's Marco Polo Apartments

A.O.A.O. Marco Polo

Marco Polo apartments in Honolulu

On Friday, the fire broke out on the 26th floor of the Marco Polo Apartments at 2333 Kapiolani Blvd., a 36-floor development with 568 units. Though the cause of the fire is still under investigation, Fire Chief Manuel Neves told CNN a lack of sprinklers is to blame for how much the fire spread.

“Without a doubt, if there was sprinklers in this apartment, the fire would be contained to the unit of origin,” Neves said.